Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Iceland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "This Is My Life" performed by Eurobandið. It was chosen through Laugardagslögin, the national selection for Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.

Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Country Iceland
National selection
Selection processLaugardagslögin 2008
Selection date(s)Heats
6 October 2007 – 12 January 2008
Second Chance
12 January 2008
Semi-finals
19 January 2008
26 January 2008
2 February 2008
9 February 2008
Final
23 February 2008
Selected entrantEurobandið
Selected song"This Is My Life"
Finals performance
Semi-final resultQualified (8th, 68 points)
Final result14th, 64 points
Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2007 • 2008 • 2009►

Before Eurovision

Laugardagslögin 2008
Main article: Laugardagslögin 2008

Laugardagslögin 2008 was the national final format developed by RÚV in order to select Iceland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. All shows in the competition were hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Gísli Einarsson and all took place at the RÚV studios in Reykjavík.[1] Thirty-three songs competed where the winner was determined after eleven heats between 6 October and 15 December 2007, a Second Chance round on 12 January 2008, four semi-finals on 19 January, 26 January, 2 February and 9 February 2008 and a final on 23 February 2008.

Final

The final took place on 23 February 2008 where the eight entries that qualified from the preceding four semi-finals competed. The winner, "Fullkomið líf" performed Eurobandið, was determined solely by public televoting.[2]

Final – 23 February 2008
Draw Artist Song Place
1 Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson "In Your Dreams" —
2 Páll Rósinkranz & Gospelkór Reykjavíkur "Gef mér von" —
3 Eurobandið "Fullkomið líf" 1
4 Ragnheiður Gröndal "Don't Wake Me Up" —
5 Merzedes Club "Ho, Ho, Ho, We Say Hey, Hey, Hey" 2
6 Baggalútur "Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?" —
7 Birgitta Haukdal & Magni Ásgeirsson "Núna veit ég" —
8 Dr. Spock "Hvar ertu nú?" 3

At Eurovision

Since Iceland had come in 13th in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, Euroband were obliged to perform their song in one of the two semi-finals of the 2008 contest.[3] The EBU split up countries with a friendly voting history into the two different semi-finals, to give a better chance to other countries to win. "This Is My Life" was chosen to be presented first at the second semi-final where it placed eighth with 68 points. In the final they performed in 11th position, behind Poland and before Turkey where they picked up 64 points. Although ranking 14th, it became the most successful Icelandic entry since the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 where Iceland placed 8th.

Points Awarded by Iceland[4]
Points Awarded to Iceland (Semi-Final 2)
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
Points Awarded to Iceland (Final)
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

References
  1. "Iceland 2008".
  2. "ICELANDIC NATIONAL FINAL 2008".
  3. Viniker, Barry (2007-09-28). "Eurovision: 2 semi finals confirmed!". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  4. Eurovision Song Contest 2008
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